Sturmgeschütz III

Contents

Use of Assault Guns

German Sturmgeschütze (assault guns) were created as a close support weapon for infantry. They would advance alongside infantry, and would fight enemy strongpoints and armored vehicles. Assault guns would also supplement infantry guns and anti-tank guns in defensive operations, and were considered as a possible replacement for anti-tank guns.

While Sturmgeschütze were organized in brigades, they were not intended to fight independently on the brigade level. Rather, they would fight on the platoon level with the infantry.

After encountering Russian heavy tanks, Sturmgeschütz armor and armament was increased to allow them to fight the heavy Russian tanks. This did not signify abandoning the original concept; the upgrade was merely a necessity to allow them to continue to fight the tanks they were likely to encounter.

Later, as Panzer production struggled to keep up with losses, Sturmgeschütze were pressed into service as Panzerjäger (tank destroyers). Even so, Sturmgeschütz-Brigaden continued to fight as such, fighting alongside infantry in both offensive and defensive operations.